THE TANK Cameron High School Cameron, MO
Issue Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2013 Issue: 05/15/2013 Last Update: Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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At-a-glance

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I can't tell you how many times I've passed someone in the hallway saying something along the lines of "We go to Cameron High School, there's no possible chance of a school shooting here." With the recent threat nationwide to high schools, I realize a small school wouldn't be on the top of most lists of schools to attack, but that doesn't mean a school shooting isn't possible. People seem to think just because we live in a small town with not much action or controversy, that our schools are safe. Previously, I thought the same thing. I figured because I go to a small school, I wouldn't be at risk at school, compared to a large school. I didn't realize until later that I might be wrong.
 
The tragedy at Columbine High School, happened on April 20,1999. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher, and 23 were injured. At first many thought the reason for the shooting was because the two were taking revenge against bullies. Later it was found Dylan had been going through depression and Harris had always been a psychopath, and was the one who came up with the plan to kill their classmates. Whether the school shooting was due to one of these reasons or both, I don't know, but this was the first major school shooting and really got people thinking about school safety.
 
The other major school shooting was at Virginia Tech, on April 16,2007. Seung-Hui Cho killed 33, and another 25 were injured. Seung-Hui was found to be diagnosed with a mental disorder, severe anxiety, and was previously accused in 2005 of stalking a couple female students.
 
With reasons like these as the cause of school shootings, I think every school is at risk. The most common reason for school shootings is probably the shooter feels like an outcast at school, like at Columbine. Whether a victim to bullying or left out of every clique, the shooters feel like they don't belong in school. They build up uncontrollable anger and want to get revenge against the whole school. Unfortunately guns today are easy to acquire, and getting revenge becomes simple. Most are able to control their anger, or end up thinking about the consequences and realizing what a big mistake they would be making, but not all.
 
I think the best way of preventing a school shooting would be to make everyone feel accepted at school. There are outcasts at every school, but it doesn't have to be that way. Every student, myself included, should sit with someone sitting alone at lunch, or just try talking to someone you've never talked to before. Little things like these could make someone's day and make them feel accepted, enough to change his or her mind about shooting their school.
 
Thinking that a school shooting would never happen where you live isn't going to do any good. Almost all of the shooters had a psychological problem. Anyone in any school can have a psychological problem, feel like an outcast at school, and decide violence is the key. I'm not trying to scare anyone, I just want everyone to know the possibilities no matter where you live. If you see anyone who you think has trouble controlling their anger or may have a psychological problem, tell someone. I might be wrong and there might never be a school shooting again, but I still don't think you can ever be too safe, and it's better to be safe than sorry.

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